Pocket pals

ABSTRACT

A portable, novelty item, which comprises a plurality of items, such as cards, removably secured together, the items having indicia thereon. The indicia can be text, such as jokes, riddles, motivational sayings, or graphics, such as sports figures, sports teams, and the like. The individual items are removable and replaceable from the assemblage, thus allowing trading or exchanging of the items.

Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) is claimed to provisional applicationSer. No. 60/316,926, filed on Aug. 30, 2001, and entitled “Assemblage ofCollectable Cards”. The complete disclosure of application 60/316,926,is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention relates to a portable novelty item having a plurality ofremovable and replaceable items, such as cards, retained together by afastening system, the plurality of items having indicia thereon.

BACKGROUND

For many people, the daily routine of work, school, and other dailyactivities can be very mundane, boring, stressful, or any combination ofsuch experiences. To escape from, or at least temporarily avoid, thedaily routine, many people rely on activities that remove them from thedaily routine. Such activities include golfing, fishing, vacationing, orany other time spent away from the office, school, or typical location.For many people, simply an afternoon off is a welcome retreat.

However, many people cannot regularly disrupt their schedule to enjoyextensive periods of rest, relaxation, or simply, plain fun, that comesfrom golfing, fishing, vacationing, and other such activities. Rather,the majority of the relaxation that occurs daily occurs in quick timeintervals and involves activities such as reading the newspaper, takinga coffee break, or daydreaming.

What is needed is a convenient activity that can provide a break fromthe ordinary activities of the day and that provides a welcome break.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a fun, mood brightening product that boostsmorale and that can be interesting, funny, series, a mind-teaser, ormotivational. The present invention is a collection of individual itemsremovably secured together by an attachment system, the individual itemshaving indicia thereon.

The individual items are preferably configured to stack or nest togetherto form a compact collection or assemblage. A preferred form for each ofthe items is as a planar card, such as a playing card or trading card.

The indicia is present on at least one surface of the items, and for aplanar item such as a card, can be present on only one surface or on twoopposite surfaces. The indicia may be printed text or graphics on theitem surface, may be present within the item itself, e.g., integralwithin the item rather than present on the surface thereof, or theindicia may be present as apertures or other areas within the itemdevoid of material. Examples of suitable text includes jokes, riddles,fortunes, encouraging sayings, trivia questions, wisdom, facts,motivational sayings, slogans, corporate mission statements, and thelike. Examples of graphics include depictions of sports figures, sportsteam logos, movie stars, music stars, political figures, cartoons,animals, and the like.

The attachment system can be any mechanism that secures the individualitems together, yet allows removal of an item when desired. Examples ofusable attachment systems include, but are not limited to, chains,rings, loops, bolts, screws, latches, clamps, clips, rivets, and otherflexible or rigid fasteners.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an assemblage ofcards held together by an attachment system such as a chain, the cardshaving printed text such as fun quotes, jokes, facts, or games presenton one side. The opposite, second side of the card may be unprinted orblank, for example, to allow writing messages thereon. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the assemblage of cards has graphics printedthereon.

In particular embodiment, the present invention is an assemblage

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assemblageaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an assemblageaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a collection or assemblage ofindividual items, such as cards, held together by an attachment systemsuch as a chain (such as a key chain), a stud, or other similar itemthat retains the items together.

Referring now to the figures, a first embodiment of an assemblage isshown as assemblage 10. Assemblage 10 has a plurality of individualitems 20 held together by an attachment system 30. Specifically,plurality of individual items 20 has a first item 20 a, a second item 20b, a third item 20 c, and so on. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,items 20 are planar cards having a first surface 22 and an opposite,second surface, not designated in FIG. 1. Items 20 have an aperture 23therethrough extending from first surface 22 to the opposite secondsurface for passing attachment system 30 through item 20.

Attachment system 30 of assemblage 10 is a flexible, segmented chain 32having a clasp 34. Such a chain 32 with clasp 34 is commonly known as akey chain.

First surface 22 has indicia 25 thereon. For assemblage 10, indicia 25consists of printed text. Preferably, each item 20, such as first item20 a, a second item 20 b, a third item 20 c, and so on has indicia 25thereon, either on first surface 22, the opposite second surface, orboth surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of an assemblage is shownas assemblage 110. Assemblage 110 has a plurality of individual items120 held together by an attachment system 130. Specifically, pluralityof individual items 120 has a first item 120 a, a second item 120 b, athird item 120 c, and so on up to a twentieth item 120 t. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, items 120 are planar cards having a firstsurface 122 and an opposite, second surface 124. Items 120 have anaperture 123 passing an attachment system 130 through items 120.Attachment system 130 of assemblage 110 is a two-part engageable systemhaving a male portion 136 and a female portion 138 that are engageable.Such an attachment system 130 may be commonly known as a stud or arivet.

The various features of assemblage 10, 110 are further described below.As summarized above, assemblage 10, 110 has a plurality of items 20, 120with indicia 25 thereon, removably connected by attachment system 30,130.

Generally, multiple items 20, 120 will be present in assemblage 10, 110.At least two items 20, 120, preferably at least three items 20, 120, andmore preferably at least 10 items 20, 120 are present. In assemblage110, twenty items 120, present as 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, . . . 120 t, areshown. In another preferred embodiment, thirty-two or thirty-four items20, 120 may be present. No matter what number of items 20, 120,assemblage 10, 110 has a collection, assembly, compilation, or othergrouping of items 20, 120.

Items 20, 120 can be any suitable shape or size. Items 20, 120 can begenerally two-dimensional or three-dimensional. By use of the term“two-dimensional”, it is intended to designate a structure having alength and a width significantly greater than the thickness of thestructure. For example, a sheet of paper or a playing card is intendedto fall within the term two-dimensional in this context. However, it ispreferred that items 20, 120 are fairly two-dimensional, to allow foreasy stacking or nesting of item 20, 120. For example, items 20, 120 maybe corrugated, concave, convex, or other arcuate shape.

Examples of suitable shapes include squares and other rectangles,circles, ovals or ellipses, stars, other polygons such as triangles,hexagons, pentagons, and so on, and irregular or undefined shapes. InFIGS. 1 and 2, items 20, 120 are rectangular. Usually, the largestdimension of item 20, 120 is no greater than about 5 inches, typicallyno greater than about 4 inches. In most designs, the largest dimensionof item 20, 120 is about 2 to 3 inches. If item 20, 120 is a circle, thelargest dimension is its diameter. Items 20, 120 are preferably shapedand sized so that assemblage 10, 110 can be stored in small spaces suchas a backpack, a brief case, a pocket, or a desk drawer.

The preferred item 20, 120 is a card, similar to a playing card or atrading card, having dimensions of about 1 inch by 2 inches by 0.125inch thick, to 2 inches by 3 inches by 0.125 inch thick. A card has afirst surface 22, 122 and an opposite second surface 124, each of whichare suitable for having indicia 25 thereon.

Items 20, 120 can be made from virtually any material such as paper(cellulose), a polymeric material (commonly referred to as plastic),metal, cloth, or any composite or combination thereof, the onlypreference being that items 20, 120 are fairly lightweight to allowmultiple items 20, 120 to be easily stored and carried by a person. Forexample, items 20, 120 can have a paper or other cellulose baselaminated or otherwise coated with a plastic material. Alternately, theentire thickness of items 20, 120 can be plastic. In another example,items 20, 120 can be formed from thin metal sheets, such as aluminum.Preferably, items 20, 120 are somewhat flexible, yet resilient.

It is not necessary that each of items 20, 120 are made from the samematerial or have the same shape and/or size. For example, it may bedesired to have the outermost items, such as item 120 a and item 120 t,made from a more durable material than the interior items 120 b, 120 c,etc. Similarly, outermost items 120 a, 120 t may be slightly larger insize than inner items 120 b, 120 c.

Indicia 25 can be present in or on items 20, 120, in or on either one orboth surfaces 22, 122 and 124. For a multilayer item 20, 120, such as alaminated paper card, indicia 25 may be present on the paper base with aplastic coating thereover. Alternately, indicia 25 may be present withinor on the plastic coating.

Indicia 25 can be any visual marking on items 20, 120. Indicia 25 may betext or graphics on items 20, 120. Examples of suitable text includesjokes, riddles, fortunes, encouraging sayings, trivia questions or othermind games, wisdom, motivational sayings, poems, famous quotes, and thelike. Examples of graphics include depictions of sports figures, sportsteam logos, corporate logos and other organization logos, movie stars,music stars, political figures, cartoons, animals, states, shapes,colors, and the like. Holograms can be used to provide a special orspectacular image. Preferably, indicia 25 present on the various items20, 120 is at least distantly related so that assemblage 10, 110 has atheme associated therewith. For example, items 20, 120 of a firstassemblage can have jokes and/or riddles thereon, and items 20, 120 of asecond assemblage can have cartoon characters.

Indicia 25 may be present within the item itself, that is, indicia 25 ispresent within the item rather than present on the surface thereof.Examples include having indicia 25 on a paper base which is then coated.In another embodiment, indicia 25 may be present as three-dimensionalembossed, raised, or textured areas. For example, indicia 25 may beraised above surface 22, 122. In another variation, indicia 25 may bepresent as apertures or other areas within the item devoid of material.

Preferably, indicia 25 on each item 20, 120 is related, thus creatingassemblage 10, 110 with a common theme. In some assemblages 10, 110, afew items 20, 120 may be present that have no indicia present; rather,items 20, 120 are blank. Preferably, at least 50% of items 20, 120 haveindicia 25 thereon, more preferably at least 75% of items 20, 120 haveindicia 25 thereon.

Items 20, 120 include aperture 23, 123 therethrough to allow inclusionof attachment system 30, 130 which retains items 20, 120 together. Asstated, attachment system 30, 130 is openable or otherwise accessible toallow items 20, 120 to be removed and replaced as desired. Attachmentsystem 30, 130 detachably holds items 20, 120 securely together until itis desired to remove an item 20, 120. A first example of a suitableattachment system is attachment system 30 of FIG. 1. Attachment system30 is a flexible, segmented chain 32 held together by clasp 34; it iscommonly known as a key chain. Another example of a suitable attachmentsystem is attachment system 130 of FIG. 2, which is a male/femaleengageable mechanism having male portion 136 and female portion 138.Male portion 136 and female portion 138 can be threaded to facilitateengagement, or male portion 136 may merely snap into female portion 138,such as with a compression fitting. Examples of other suitableattachment systems 30, 130 include rings, loops, bolts, screws, latches,clamps, clips, rivets, and other fasteners.

Attachment system 30, 130 can be flexible (such as attachment system 30)or be rigid (such as attachment system 130). Attachment system 30, 130may be metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

Items 20, 120 of assemblage 10, 110 of the present invention may beviewed and enjoyed, and exchanged or traded like “baseball cards” orother types of trading cards. Assemblage 10, 110 is appropriate for allages of users, depending upon the content of indicia 25 present thereon.

While there have been described what are considered to be preferredembodiments of the present invention, it will be readily appreciated bythose skilled in the art that modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the teachings herein. Thus, while theinvention has been described in the context of, perhaps, educational,motivational, advertising, relaxational, or enjoyment methods, thecontent of the indicia printed on the cards may be modified, the indiciabeing of the same general subject matter. Since many embodiments of theinvention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. An assemblage comprising: (a) a plurality of cards, each of saidplurality of cards having: (i) a first surface and an opposite secondsurface; (ii) at least 50% of said first surfaces having indiciathereon; (iii) an aperture extending through each of said plurality ofcards; and (b) an attachment system passing through each of saidapertures and configured to detachably secure said cards together. 2.The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein at least 75% of said firstsurfaces has indicia thereon.
 3. The assemblage according to claim 1,wherein said plurality of cards comprises paper.
 4. The assemblageaccording to claim 1, wherein was plurality of cards comprises plastic.5. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said indicia comprisestext.
 6. The assemblage according to claim 5, wherein said text is atleast one of jokes, riddles, fortunes, encouraging sayings, triviaquestions, wisdom, motivational sayings, poems, and famous quotes. 7.The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said indicia comprisesgraphics.
 8. The assemblage according to claim 7, wherein said graphicsincludes at least one of sports figures, sports team logos, organizationlogos, movie stars, music stars, political figures, cartoons, animals,states, shapes, and colors.
 9. The assemblage according to claim 1,wherein said second surface is void of indicia.
 10. The assemblageaccording to claim 1, wherein said attachment system is one of a chain,ring, loop, bolt, screw, latch, clamp, clip, or rivet.
 11. Theassemblage according to claim 10, wherein said attachment system is asegmented chain.
 12. A card novelty comprising: (a) a plurality ofrectangular cards, each of said cards having: (i) a first surface and anopposite second surface; (ii) at least 50% of said first surfaces havingindicia thereon; (iii) an aperture extending through each of saidplurality of cards; and (b) a reclosable attachment system passingthrough each of said apertures and configured to detachably secure saidcards together.
 13. An assemblage comprising: (a) a first card having:(i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) said firstsurface having indicia thereon, said indicia being one of a joke,riddle, fortune, encouraging saying, trivia question, wisdom,motivational saying, poem, or famous quote; (iii) an aperture extendingthrough said first card; (b) a second card having: (i) a first surfaceand an opposite second surface; (ii) said second card having indiciathereon, said indicia being a joke, riddle, fortune, encouraging saying,trivia question, wisdom, motivational saying, poem, or famous quotesimilar to that present on the first card; (iii) an aperture extendingthrough said second card; (c) a third card having: (i) a first surfaceand an opposite second surface; (ii) said third card having indiciathereon, said indicia being a joke, riddle, fortune, encouraging saying,trivia question, wisdom, motivational saying, poem, or famous quotesimilar to that present on the first card and the second card; (iii) anaperture extending through said third card; and (d) an attachment systempassing through each of said apertures and configured to detachablysecure said cards together.
 14. The assemblage according to claim 13,wherein said attachment system is one of a chain, ring, loop, bolt,screw, latch, clamp, clip, or rivet.